Terminal Gravity IPA - Terminal Gravity Brewing Company

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.35/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured amber with good carbonation and a small white head. Nose is malty with some floral hops. Taste is bready, bout of acramel, pine and citrus. Mouthfeel has a nice dry finish with some bittering. Overall this is drinkable but very ordinary and average.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 02:48:44 | More by barleywinefiend

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy orange color with a wispy head. Orange and grapefruit notes, along with some flower in the nose. Not much malt in the flavor by large helpings of citrus and flower. Drinkable, enjoyable, and pretty average for the style. Nothing in particular stands out here. I would prefer a little more complexity and some balance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2010 16:16:49 | More by BeardedBoffin

WJVII

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to CDKrenz for trekking this brew back from Oregon for me to sample.

Poured into a pint glass this brew has a nice hazy orange color with active carbonation starting with a 2 finger white head that fizzled down to a nice airy 1 finger cap leaving sticky lacing on the glass as it crept down. The aroma is quite light. There is some bouquet of floral hops, and a mild grapefruit smell but not much more. The taste is nice and course, but a little light flavored. There is some pine, a slight citrus note, and some course bitterness in the finish. This brew is decent, but not the best I have had. Real nice to have the opportunity to try something from the West Coast that is not traditionally in distribution here in Central WI. Thanks CK.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2010 01:24:17 | More by WJVII

drizzam

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my good BA buddy cdkrenz for this generous offering from a brewery I have never had the pleasure to indulge.

A - Poured from the brown bottle into a clear pint glass. No freshness date on the bottle. The body of this brew is a very murky amber color, topped with a gorgeous fluffy one finger tannish head. Head retention is marvelous and it leaves beautiful lacing down the inside of my glass.

S - Not highly aromatic, but I do get a good sense of the citrus hops that surely must abound in this brew.

T & M - A biscuity malt body is accentuated by the hops I could smell in the nose. The hops are both spicy and citric in nature. Medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel that seems to coat my mouth as I drink this beer. Carbonation seems to be on the very low end, which adds to the creamy nature of this brew.

D - This is a tasty and well crafted IPA...the IBU's must be low because this is certainly not a hop bomb, however, the hop flavoring is exceptional, which actually makes it highly drinkable in my book. Thanks to my good friend cdkrenz for thinking of me and picking up a bottle on his recent trip to Oregon...Beer Advocacy at its best!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 04:43:19 | More by drizzam

unHipHopHead

Washington

3.18/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: poured a darker amber color, much darker than i expected, with a one finger fluffy foam head that dissipated in about a minute to leave some large bubbles in the center and around the edges.

S: initial smell was very biscuity and almost no hops. after a few sniffs i start to pick up some very complex floral notes. spices, cinnamon, pretty interesting. probably the best aspect of this beer.

T: very malty for an IPA, tasted like a lager at first but then the hops hit in the finish and linger slightly. for me personally the hops are being too masked in this IPA in what I can only assume is an attempt to create a balanced brew.

M: a very smooth mouthfeel, well balanced with a touch of carbonation.

D: this is a pretty heavy beer IMO. Not sure I'd be reaching for more than one of these.

note: a good choice for those that like a more balanced IPA with less bitter hops. this is not a bad beer, i just prefer a lighter, brighter, hop-forward crisp and refreshing IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 21:18:54 | More by unHipHopHead

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Very good pour with a thick frothy inch and a half of light tan head. The body is a cloudy orange and pale brown mix. Very little carbonation to note and the head has some solid stamina.

S - Sweet hops consisting of melon and pear with a slice of honey and grain.

T - There's the bitter hops flavor I was looking for. This sucker kicks ya nicely. It has a fruity hop bitterness that really has a strong finish.

M - Albeit smooth for an IPA it does have a very subtle coarseness that really helps in the finish. The slight texture assists in maintaining the prolonged flavor of bitter-sweet hops.

~ This is a good beer all around. I certainly suggest this one to my friends. Which is why I brought a bottle back for a few of them on my recent trip to Oregon. If they're lucky, the bottles I have stowed away for them will still be available by the time I see them next. I guess we'll see.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2010 23:25:59 | More by cdkrenz

beertunes

Washington

3/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a orangey-yellowish-amber with just a thin cap of white head that had no retention and little lacing.

Predominately pine hop aroma with some citrus notes, no noticeable malt. On the tongue, the citrus hops have a stronger presence with the pine more at the back. Again, not much malt flavor.

Body and drinkability were both average. Overall, this beer is an average IPA. Average is not a bad word. I enjoyed this beer and will certainly enjoy more in the future. Worth trying when you see it.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2009 21:51:28 | More by beertunes

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Out of a 12 ounce bottle and into my nonic pint glass. The IPA appears a hazed apricot color with about an inch of fluffy off white foam. Flavors and aromas consist of grapefruit, orange, some pine, of course some caramel, tangerine peel, earthy. This IPA is medium in both body and carbonation with very little alcohol showing through. Nice stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2009 05:27:10 | More by ClockworkOrange

RustyDiamond

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cloudy blood orange with a manilla folder yellow head. Nice and frothy, solid looking. Subtle citrus aroma, somewhat faint.

Lite orange flavor up front, going to bitter but pleasant real quick. Nice malty balance...triscut crackers. Spicy hop finish

Solid...good hop flavor. Not a standout, just good.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2009 20:18:24 | More by RustyDiamond

cokes

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dirty bronze colored, touched with haze and sporting a slumping beige foam that shows a decent amount of lace.
Toasted grain aroma with a background nuttiness, hints of pears, and a grassy hoppiness that bolsters midway towards conifers.
Bready at its initiation to the mouth, turning quickly toastier and grainier. A sunflower seed-like nuttiness appears, then it turns towards red apples. Hops gradually emerge with dried flowers and pine, and a lingering mineral astringency.
Medium bodied, solidly and steadily carbonationed. It's a bit muddled in the mouth, as the flavors seem to lack definition.
Decent IPA, and I love to try it again assured of its freshness, as I have some questions here.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 07:25:34 | More by cokes

illidurit

California

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy bret27. Pours a hazy apple juice color with a whitish head composed of largish bubbles. Aromas of bruised apple (from the Fuggles) and piney hops with some very light pale malt. Flavor is herbal and spicy with some earthiness and toasty malts, maybe a hint of caramel. Medium-light body, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 18:25:25 | More by illidurit

froghop

Washington

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a hazy dark orange with a small off-white head, and good lacing.

smell is of light grapefruit, some roasted nuts, and caramel.

taste is creamy, caramel, some grain, and hops in the back, ends a little bitter.

overall a very nice indian pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2009 17:15:55 | More by froghop

velosuds

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a clear pint glass. No freshness data on bottle. Single purchased at local health food store for $1.65.

A-Poured a murky amber hue. Much darker than most IPAs I have had, except for ones with rye. A vigorous pour produced a about a two finger head that receded quickly and left only modest lacing. Appearance seemed awry.

S-Piney and citrus hops, especially grapefruit. A hint of cinnamon was noted, or something earthy (turmeric comes to mind). Again, not quite right.

T-Better than expected after the appearance and smell apprehensions. Very hoppy and bitter with a slight after taste. Very West Coast style presentation. Malt present in taste when beer warms. I liked much more after it warmed.

M-Smooth and well balanced. Nice carbonation level. Tantalizing to the taste buds.

D-This went down very easily and I would readily reach for another.

An average to good IPA. It was difficult not thinking something was wrong with this beer, but it ended up tasting quite good.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2009 04:20:38 | More by velosuds

mjl21

California

3.13/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter. No bottling info is present. Comes in at 6.9%. Purchased at Bear Creek Beers in Medford, OR for $1.45.

A-Pours a murcky amber that takes on an orangish hue in the light. It pours with a very minimal off white head that breaks off into a small ring that surrounds a filmy circle.

S-Really boring nose. There are some citrus hops that are present, but they are overpowered by earthy/grassy/herbal notes. Caramel malt is also noticeable.

T-It tastes a lot like it smells. Sweet malt is very upfront and the herbal hop flavros are very strong. The citrus is also present, but does not pop. Considering the sweetness that is present, it finishes dry and leaves some residual bitternesss. Halfway through it really takes on a strong medicinal taste in the back of the mouth and that taste remains in between sips.

M-Medium bodied with comfortable carbonation. It is dry and somewhat bitter.

D-Based on this bottle, I would have to pass. Too herbal tasting and the medicinal flavor that kicks up is not my thing.

The hardest part about reviewing this beer was wondering if it is past its prime or if this is the way it was intended by the brewers. Based on some other reviews, others have also picked up on some of its unusual flavors. I will save final judgment until I have consumed what I know is a fresh version.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2009 17:02:30 | More by mjl21

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Terminal Gravity IPA. A beer I'll always associate with the unique IPA style of the NW.

The beer pours a peachy orange color with very good head retention and lacing. On the nose, I get some citrus, pepper and light tobacco. On the palate, this is so delicious.... there's nothing else quite like it. The beer has a well balanced blend of sweet malt and hops, but some how, some way, it retains its lovely dry, NW flavor profile pedigree. There's almost a ginger snap and gingerbread flavor to this beer, with some light orange and a refreshing bitter finish. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and drinkability is very good. If the menu didn't tell me the beer had a 6.9% abv., I have no idea what I would have guessed. So easy to drink... such a fine beer. Yummy...

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 22:41:45 | More by johnmichaelsen

nomomentwasted

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at the Tea Zone in Downtown Portland yesterday.

Appearance: In a pint glass, the color is roughly coppery with a little orange in it with a thin white head and medium carbonation:

Smell: A little more spicy than your average IPA, and in an interesting way. Citrusy Northwest hops are definitely there as well and are probably the centerpiece, but the spiciness was what struck me as a little different from every other IPA.

Taste: Same spice as in the nose with a very pleasant amount of hops in a solid blend with the malty, bready barley undertones. The hops are thick and pretty heavy for a Northwest IPA, but about on par (perhaps just a little less) with say Stone's or Green Flash's IPAs, which is saying something for a standard, not double, IPA.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, oily, and carbonated in a pleasant manner. I wouldn't say it's out of this world, but it's nicer than your average. Alcohol warmth comes at the tail-end.

Drinkability: Very. If it wasn't almost 7% I'd say it's a session IPA (I treated it like such). Definitely worth a shot and a nice balance of heavy hops and bready malt.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2009 16:28:26 | More by nomomentwasted

woemad

Washington

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle purchased at Jim's Homebrew for $1.72. No freshness date.

Poured a hazy, almost russet color with a thick, creamy white head. Lots of lace.

Citrusy in the nose. There's also some bready malts and a vague spicy hop scent, but the citrus is the star of the show.

Tastes pretty much like the smell. Citrusy hops greet the tastebuds. Not an overly complex IPA, but a nice one to drink nonetheless. The malts provided a nice balance. Bitter, herbal note at the swallow.

Medium bodied, with a mildly coating, resiny mouthfeel.

Very drinkable beer. If it didn't have an abv of 6.9%, I'd call it a session IPA. Perhaps this could be one you give to someone who's a little leery of jumping on the hophead wagon whole hog.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2009 23:52:19 | More by woemad

jwc215

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours hazy amber with a thin, tan bubbly head. Some trailing lace sticks.

The smell is of lemon/orange, some caramel and a metallic touch.

The taste is herbal/aspirin-y with some citrus (that I wish came out a bit more). There is a caramelish maltiness, but overwhelmed by herbal bitterness. I was between scores on the taste, but can't quite bring myself to give it the higher of the two, as the asprin character lingers just a bit too much.

It is medium-bodied.

It is harsh, with alcohol and bitterness lingering. Still, it does have enough "good" character to enjoy the one (perhaps even a second), but would seem like chewing an aspirin after awhile.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2009 14:00:02 | More by jwc215

errantnight

California

2.75/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

As an extra from Wackyfoot, thanks, sir!

So this pours an ambery gold with a bit of haze, a nice solid finger or two of head. Lightly creamy, moderate retention.

Aroma is very mild citric hops, a bit of floral notes, around a strong malt presence, toasted bread. It's faint, and not very hop-forward.

On the palate this is even more pronounced... a malt forward flavor which is not wholly unpleasant... reminds me of HopDevil's malt bill, and it has an appropriately balancing bitterness, but where did that hop flavor go, exactly? Nice toasted malt notes with hints of caramel. Nice dry finish, medium bodied, drinkable...

On the one hand, this isn't a BAD beer, no off flavors, and I like what's there, on the other hand, it's hard to score this even average in the taste and drinkability categories because if I really was in the mood for an IPA and this is what I got? I'd be miffed.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2009 06:18:54 | More by errantnight

RJLarse

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Elk Public House. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a gold color and is hazy. Small white head (served that way) is moderately resilient.

Smell is faint and nondescript. It might be more robust with a bigger fluffier head.

Taste is a malted grain presence but the hops have a bit of a medicine flavor.

Mouthfeel is light and clean. Mild bitter aftertaste

Drinkability is good, once you get past the medicine taste. I'd like to try this in a bomber, where I can control the pour.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2009 16:04:42 | More by RJLarse

olmatty

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Pours a white head with scant lacing, beer is an orange amber with a slight haze.

Smell- Fresh piney and citrusy hops and a slight malt aroma.

Taste- A nice balance between a good malty backbone and a good dose of hops. Hops have a pronounced grapefruit flavor and hops continue on the palate.

Mouthfeel- Middling carbonation and a bit sticky in the mouth


Mouthfeel- Intensely hoppy, but balanced out so nicely with malts that drinkability is nicely increased.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2009 06:34:53 | More by olmatty

paco1029384756

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to googzoid10 for the bottle.

Pours an amber orange color with a short foamy white head.

Scent of hops, citrus, grain, and some caramel. It's alright, pretty standard though, and there isn't a particularly strong hop presence.

Taste of hops, caramel malts, spices, and grain. Has the spice qualities of a Winter Warmer with a subdued hop flavor. Again, it's not bad, but probably not something a hop head should be reaching for constantly.

Mouthfeel is light bodied with good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 02:27:20 | More by paco1029384756

Magpie14

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: a good hearty copper color with soft yellow tones at the edges. Soapy ring of foam at the top that hosted mostly bubbles. Looks good and hearty for an IPA/APA

S: strong malt profile and boasts soft toasted caramel notes. Hops are of the green kind (pine and grassy). Something unusual about this...yeast-like notes

T: hops smell alright and yet something funky about the hops, dry, wry, and musty. Caramelized malts are the main show, toasted notes are present as well as a soft roasted vibe. For me, this is the prominent taste on the palate...malts. Hops occupy a small area and have a strange flavor that has old grapefruit, lemons, and pine flavors

M: good feel and well rounded type of vibe. For the amount of hops in the nose the finish is far from what you would expect. It does not have that nice true and clean hoppy finish. Body dimensions are alright and feel good

D: I will pass on this IPA/APA. Hearty malt vibe and what hops there are, fairly good, are a bit strange and rank

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 22:29:06 | More by Magpie14

Spikester

Oregon

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber with a one finger off white head. Modest amount of lacings. Aroma is malty with some floral hops. Taste is good amount of grapefruit orange hops and a firm malt backbone. Alcohol goes undetected for the most part. Some breadiness in the body. Nice dry bitter finish. Carbonation is lively. Overall a nice IPA. Sessionablity is in doubt due to 6.7% abv. A tasty IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2009 03:58:23 | More by Spikester

jdense

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the faculty lounge, err, Ten Depot in La Grande.

The ultimate hop bomb. Taste like whole buds were thrown into the kettle and left there for a long time. Orangish golden color with minimal head, but nice lacing. A bit of bready malt, but long lingering puckerish hoppy finish that will surely please all Hop Heads. To paraphrase Oregon's favorite son, Peter Jacobsen, 'these guys don't know where Enterprise is, but I do." I hope Fred Eckhardt gets well soon so we can down a pint together at the Horse Brass. A must have for any self respecting hop head. Very highly recommended!

EDIT- I saw a comment about 'herbal cannabis' notes when a fellow BA was reviewing another fine NW IPA. That was my first thought when I wafted this brew for the first time. Hopulicious!

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2009 06:04:13 | More by jdense